Esther 9:13
What does Esther 9:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 9:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 9:13 means
Esther asks for two things specific to Shushan: that the Jews be allowed another day under the same decree, and that Haman’s ten sons be hanged on the gallows. The additional day aims to finish rooting out organized hostility in the capital. The hanging of the sons—already dead—serves as a public display, a solemn warning that the plot against the Jews has been fully judged. Esther’s request is firm yet focused; she does not broaden it to the provinces. Her aim is stability and deterrence in the heart of imperial power, ensuring no remnant of the conspiracy threatens her people there.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews that are in Shushan to do to-morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews that are in Shushan to do to-morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Esther said, If it is the king's pleasure, let authority be given to the Jews in Shushan to do tomorrow as has been done today, and let orders be given for the hanging of Haman's ten sons.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Esther saith, `If to the king <FI>it be<Fi> good, let it be given also to-morrow, to the Jews who <FI>are<Fi> in Shushan, to do according to the law of to-day; and the ten sons of Haman they hang on the tree.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And she answered: If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews, to do to morrow in Susan as they have done to day, and that the ten sons of Aman may be hanged upon gibbets.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Esther said, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews that are in Shushan to do to-morrow also according to this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
Context
Responding to the king’s offer (v. 12), Esther’s petition in verse 13 targets Shushan, where the struggle is most visible. The request for display of Haman’s sons connects back to the named list (vv. 7–10), closing the narrative loop on Haman’s household. The king’s swift command in verse 14 grants both requests, and this leads to the second day of action in Shushan and its final tally (v. 15). With the capital secured, the narrative will contrast Shushan’s timeline of rest and feasting (v. 18) with that of the other Jews (v. 17).
v.12And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! Now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.
v.13This passage
v.14And the king commanded it so to be done: and a decree was given out in Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 8:11
wherein the king granted the Jews that were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
- Esther 9:15
And the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men in Shushan; but on the spoil they laid not their hand.
- 2 Samuel 21:9
and he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the mountain before Jehovah, and they fell all seven together. And they were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, at the beginning of barley harvest.
- 2 Samuel 21:6
let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto Jehovah in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of Jehovah. And the king said, I will give them.
- Deuteronomy 21:23
his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt surely bury him the same day; for he that is hanged is accursed of God; that thou defile not thy land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
- Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: